A Chinese researcher in the New York Times Beijing bureau accused of fraud and of divulging state secrets will be tried next month despite a court’s earlier decision to drop the charges, his attorney said Saturday.

The trial of Zhao Yan, 44, was tentatively set to begin June 8 in Beijing No. 2 Intermediate Court after the charges were re-filed with the court, the attorney, Mo Shaoping, said he was told by a court official Friday. The charge of revealing state secrets is regarded as particularly serious under Chinese law, and acquittals are rare in such cases.

According to people familiar with the case, Hu has taken a personal interest in the proceedings. Despite some attempts at reform, the Chinese judiciary has remained subordinate to the Communist Party and follows instructions from party officials at all levels of the hierarchy.

See also NYT’s “China Sets State Secrets Trial for Times Researcher in June” (link)